The First 50 Pages–Book Review

The First 50 Pages by Jeff Gerke is an insightful look at what agents and editors are truly looking for in the first 50 pages of a novel. The information is provided by an author/editor in an easy-to-understand manner.

I had the opportunity to hear Mr. Gerke speak at the Writer’s Digest Conference in January and I immediately jumped in line to get a copy of his book signed. He was a terrific speaker who provided lots of examples and explanations. His workshop was one of the best at the conference.

The first part of the book is dedicated to explaining the submission process. Some important points he raised are that your opening lines must hook the reader. He clarifies that starting with action isn’t about blowing stuff up or having someone’s life at risk. IT SIMPLY MEANS IT MUST BE INTERESTING TO THE READER.

He also talks of the three bombs: POV, show vs. tell, and character creation. A problem with any of these can blow up a book and not in an Oprah knocking on your door sort of way.

The rest of the book focuses on what your first 50 pages must do. And it’s a lot. A lot a lot. In this section he touches on how to engage your reader, introduce your main character, establish the main character’s normal, establish the story world’s normal, start the inner journey, and follow the Three Act structure.

As I read this book, I analyzed my two finished manuscripts and tried to think of where I’d missed the mark. Where I needed to work further on them. What was not working in their first 50 pages.

This is one of my favorite craft books because Jeff Gerke’s conversational presentation style is captured perfectly in these pages. I felt like he was talking right to me and sharing his personal experiences. He used lots of movies as examples which made concepts much easier to grasp and apply later to my own work.

This is a must read for any writer submitting their work to agents and editors.

Thanks! I’m kinda happy to put it aside for a month or two. That was a tough drafting period. So much uncertainty. But I’m really thrilled with where it went, even if I didn’t expect it to go there. 🙂 And thanks so much for always cheering me on!

Aw thanks Catherine! 🙂
Putting the new draft aside to work on a manuscript that an agent requested revisions on. At least I have the summer to work through revisions. 🙂 And I know I’ll come back to that other story in the fall ready to attack it!

Honestly, I feel like my beginning is (was? because I’m not sure anymore since I haven’t read it in a while) strong. I just know there is always room for improvement. My problems came when I got through to just passed the middle, I think.

Carrie, I hope it helps you as much as it’s helping me! Something about the way he puts things and the examples he uses made it easy to grasp what he was saying and see where my manuscript was missing the mark. Aw, thanks. I can’t help praising great books!

Always useful these types of books. I tend to think of the first fifty pages advice thus: “Get to the point, quickly and simply”. That includes all the points above (although it explains nothing to those who do not know the points!).

Very true. Although I got to the point too quickly and didn’t spend enough time setting up the normal in my manuscript. I would add a bit more to your statement: “Get to the point, quickly and simply, without losing the reader’s interest or confusing them.” 🙂

I remember the post you wrote in January about Gerke at the writer’s conference, and how you were eager to read this book. So glad you did and that you came away happy! It’s helpful to have the inside track on what our first 50 pages should do, so thank you so much for sharing your insight!

Kathryn, I started reading this book in April on the side. LOL. Took me a while to work my way through it. But sometimes it pays to dwell in a craft book. 🙂 I really felt like this book brought a lot of information to the table. Information I wished I’d had seven months ago when revising my manuscript. 🙂

That’s one time I’m happy to tip the scale. 😛 He’s a terrific speaker. And his book is written in a very conversational way where you feel like he’s confiding all the mysteries of the writing world. Or at least what needs to be in your first 50 pages to tip the scale in your favor. 🙂

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